TomAndTwylaRevised17KB

The Smart Buy Story

Originally formed by three Hoosier friends, Smart Buy Office Furniture opened it’s flagship location October 2007 in Austin, TX with the mission to provide surprising quality office furniture at amazing prices.

Our Story

TomAndTwylaRevised17KB
Tom And Twyla Doane

Tom Doane grew up in the office furniture Industry. His Dad, Terry, was the Vice President of Sales for two different office furniture manufacturers in the 1970’s before establishing his own office furniture wholesaler along with a former co-worker, Ray Keyes, in 1981. After graduating from Indiana University with a BS in Marketing, Tom joined the family business in 1990 where his elder brother, Mark, already worked as an outside sales rep.

Tom represented his Father’s company in the Southern Indiana and Western KY territory to office furniture/supply dealers for the following 19 years where he honed interpersonal skills, product knowledge, and CAD skills that he draws from today while serving his beloved Austin clients.

While working for his Father’ company In 2004, Tom witnessed a wild consumer swing away from domestic manufacturers toward low-cost, higher quality global manufacturers. This inspired Tom to ask for his Father’s blessing to leave the family business and open his own office furniture business. His Father granted the blessing contingent to Tom leaving the 5 mid-west states that his company served.

Tom, his wife, Twyla, and their son’s Christopher, Terry J (TJ), and Isaiah set off on a prayer journey to seek God’s direction for a location.

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Chris, Isaiah, and TJ 2016

After much prayer, it became apparent that God was directing them to Austin, TX. In April, 2007 he landed for the first time on Austin soil where he set out on his journey with God on this new season of life. By October, 2007 they had located their retail showroom near Burnet Road and Research Blvd. (Hwy 183).

Tom is passionate about his faith in Jesus Christ and genuinely desires to emulate true, compassionate Christianity in business practices where he hopes to earn the right to share the reason for the Hope that is in him. Tom is often heard reminding the Smart Buy team that “God hates dishonest scales.” Tom possesses a great desire to educate the consumer regarding product engineering extol the virtues of multiple options.